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		So much for democracy Plenary Speech - Wednesday 14th June 2006 Mr. President We claim that the EU is a Union of Values based on democracy and the rule of law. Yet when the Danes voted against Maastricht in 1992, and the Irish voted against Nice in 2000, they were told to go away and try again. So much for democracy. And when the French and Dutch voted against the Constitution last year, we ignored their verdict. We are trying to revive a Constitution which is dead in its own terms. We are implementing large parts of it with no legal basis. So much for the rule of law. In our pig-headed determination to press on with the European project in defiance of public opinion, we show our brazen contempt for the voters, and for democratic values. And the voters are starting to notice. Amongst my East Midlands constituents, I sense a growing concern, and indeed anger, against the European project. So press ahead with the EU Constitution if you must, but be warned. You are fuelling public resentment which will blow the European construction apart.